Community Discussion on Overcoming Cultural Differences Set for May 4

Inspired by the recent visit of Martin Luther King III, Friends University invites the community to continue discussing ways to overcome cultural differences and work together to create the “beloved” community envisioned Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The public is invited to attend the meeting from noon to 1:30 p.m. May 4 at the University Friends Church, 1840 W. University Ave.

“We want to offer our community the opportunity to continue the discussion which was started with Martin Luther King, III on topics such as education, economic barriers, community awareness, diversity sensitivity and human relations,” said Dr. Dixie Madden, director of the Garvey Institute at Friends University and program director of the Master of Business Law program.

Martin Luther King III spoke as part of the Garvey Lecture Series Friday, April 19, and then participated in a Multicultural Community Forum Saturday, April 20. The forum audience was asked, in the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., to “live as though the future you seek is already here.”

Panel members for this discussion include Brandon Johnson, Friends University alumnus and executive director of Community Operations Recovery Empowerment; Mandy Yip, Wichita State University student; Sarah Stahmer, Friends University student; Ernestor de la Rosa, Wichita State University student; Maher Musleh, coordinator of the Muslim Public Affairs Council; and Ponka-We Victors, Kansas House of Representatives.

“We’ve made progress,” Martin Luther King III said, “but we still have a long way to go.”